Photo: afiler from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Gallup than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gallup gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #9 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1988.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Gallup faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Gallup’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gallup, and Gallup’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #9 of 73 in New Mexico; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gallup’s residents live in 11 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Mexico town has higher expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Gallup has less expected damage per building than 89% of New Mexico towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Gallup: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gallup flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gallup, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gallup isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McKinley County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Gallup
Disasters that paid out in Gallup itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gallup), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the City of Gallup for repairs
McKinley County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Gallup after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gallup archive →Gallup and its neighbors
Gallup is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Church Rock | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gallup | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Catalpa Canyon | — | 302 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sundance | — | 585 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Gallup faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Gallup
Is Gallup at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gallup has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #9 of 73 in New Mexico. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gallup flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Gallup since 1988, $31K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Gallup in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In McKinley County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gallup?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gallup’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Gallup?
By FEMA money that reached Gallup, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $20K to the City of Gallup for repairs.
Is Gallup at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Gallup’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gallup.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gallup’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.